International

Venezuela MPs approve creation of state in disputed Essequibo

  CARACAS, March 22, 2024 (AFP) – Venezuela’s parliament has approved a law creating a federal state in the disputed oil-rich area of Essequibo across the border in Guyana, which on Friday slammed a “flagrant violation” of its sovereignty. Caracas has long laid claim to Essequibo, which makes up about two-thirds of Guyana’s territory, but started taking active steps to retrieve the land after massive offshore oil deposits were discovered there in 2015. Lawmakers unanimously […]

Gun attack at Moscow concert leaves more than 60 dead

KRASNOGORSK, Russia, March 23, 2024 (AFP) – Gunmen who opened fire at a Moscow concert hall killed more than 60 people and wounded over 100 while sparking an inferno, authorities said Saturday, with the Islamic State group claiming responsibility. Attackers dressed in camouflage uniforms entered the building on Friday, opened fire and threw a grenade or incendiary bomb, according to a journalist for the RIA Novosti news agency at the scene. Fire quickly spread through […]

Philippines accuses China of water cannon attack on supply vessel

  MANILA, March 23, 2024 (AFP) – The Philippines accused the China Coast Guard of blocking and firing water cannon at a Filipino supply vessel Saturday morning off a remote and contested South China Sea reef. The Philippine military said the attack occurred off Second Thomas Shoal, where Chinese ships have unleashed water cannon and collided with Filipino vessels in similar stand-offs in recent months. The military released video clips that showed a white ship […]

Putin receiving updates on Moscow attack: spokesman

MOSCOW, March 22, 2024 (AFP) – Russian President Vladimir Putin is receiving “constant” updates about the attack on a concert hall outside Moscow that left dozens dead on Friday, his spokesman said. “The President is constantly being informed by all relevant services about what is happening and the measures being taken,” spokesman Dmitry Peskov told Russian news agencies.

Russia will destroy Kyiv officials if linked to Moscow attack: Medvedev

MOSCOW, March 22, 2024 (AFP) – Russia will find and destroy Ukraine’s top officials if they are linked to the gun attack outside Moscow that left dozens dead on Friday, former president Dmitry Medvedev said. “If it is established that these are terrorists of the Kyiv regime … all of them must be found and ruthlessly destroyed as terrorists,” Medvedev wrote in a post on Telegram, adding that “official representatives of the state that committed […]

Catherine, Princess of Wales, announces cancer diagnosis

A message from Catherine, The Princess of Wales pic.twitter.com/5LQT1qGarK — The Prince and Princess of Wales (@KensingtonRoyal) March 22, 2024   By Phil HAZLEWOOD LONDON, March 22, 2024 (AFP) – Catherine, Princess of Wales, on Friday announced that she has cancer and is in the early stages of chemotherapy, asking for “time, space and privacy” as she completes her treatment. Kate, as she is widely known, said the discovery of cancer, after successful abdominal surgery […]

At least 40 dead, over 100 injured in Moscow attack: FSB

MOSCOW, March 22, 2024 (AFP) – At least 40 people were killed and more than 100 injured in an attack Friday on a concert hall outside Moscow, Russia’s Federal Security Service said. “According to preliminary information, 40 people were killed and more than 100 were injured as a result of a terrorist attack in the Crocus City Hall,” the Interfax news agency reported, citing the FSB.

BREAKING: Ukraine had ‘nothing to do’ with Moscow attack: presidency

KYIV, Ukraine, March 22, 2024 (AFP) – Ukraine had ‘nothing to do’ with a gun attack on a concert hall outside Moscow on Friday, presidential aide Mykhailo Podolyak said on Telegram. “Regarding the events in Crocus City in the Russian suburbs, where certain events took place today, some shooting, some terrorist actions by unidentified persons, let’s be clear, Ukraine absolutely has nothing to do with these events,” he said.

Gun attack at Moscow concert leaves at least 40 dead: authorities

MOSCOW, March 22, 2024 (AFP) – MOSCOW, March 22, 2024 (AFP) – Gunmen opened fire at a rock concert in a Moscow suburb Friday killing at least 40 people, wounding 100 and setting off an inferno in the theatre, authorities said. Attackers dressed in camouflage uniforms entered the building, opened fire and threw a grenade or incendiary bomb, according to a journalist for the RIA Novosti news agency at the scene. Fire quickly spread through […]

Russia adds ‘LGBT movement’ to extremist blacklist

MOSCOW, March 22, 2024 (AFP) – Russia’s financial watchdog said Friday it had added what it calls the “international LGBT movement” to its list of terrorists and extremists. The implication of its listing was not immediately clear. The Rosfinmonitoring watchdog has the power to freeze bank accounts of specific entities named on the list, but did not name any person or organisation on its website. Russia’s Supreme Court declared the movement as “extremist” last November, […]

French news editor suspended over Macron-related headline

MARSEILLE, March 22, 2024 (AFP) – The news editor of a regional French daily has been suspended after a front-page headline critical of President Emmanuel Macron, management said Friday, causing outrage across the newsroom. Macron on Tuesday launched a major operation against drug trafficking in the southern port city of Marseille and elsewhere, saying that gangland battles that last year left dozens dead had made life a misery for residents. Following Macron’s Marseille visit, La […]

Under pressure, Trump goes on attack as $454 mn deadline looms

NEW YORK, March 22, 2024 (AFP) – Donald Trump lashed out at prosecutors Friday as the clock ticked down on the possible seizure of his assets and threatened bankruptcy if he fails to come up with cash to pay a half-billion dollar bond. The former president, who is running again in this year’s election, is under pressure after a New York court ruled that he, his sons and his family company lied about the value […]